Paleoclimatic correlations between Western european continental and marine areas Contribution of big villafranchian fauna

It is very difficult to make paleoclimatic correlations between continental and marine areas, but it is possible with biostratigraphic data. Reliable correlations can be made only between broad periods: between 3.5 and 3 Ma, around 2.4 Ma, until 1.6 Ma and after 1.6 Ma. The arid Mediterranean phases led to the disappearance of the European Villafranchian fauna (1.0 Ma).

A nota de rodapé e a nota do tradutor: Apontamentos à margem

A nota de rodapé nasce no séc. XVI com os anotadores da Bíblia e transforma-se em recurso erudito no decurso do séc. XIX. A nota do tradutor, mais próxima do comentário, é fortemente desencorajada pela indústria editorial, que procura apagar as marcas da intermediação operada pelo tradutor no texto traduzido.

Estratigrafia e interpretação paleogeográfica do Cenozóico continental do norte de Portugal

Palaeogeographic and tectono-sedimentary interpretation of northern Portugal, in which previous studies (geomorphology, lithostratigraphy, mineralogy, sedimentology, palaeontology, etc.) were considered, is here proposed. Cenozoic shows different features according to its morphotectonic setting in the eestern region (Trás-os-Montes) or near to the Atlantic coast (western region, Minho and Douro Litoral areas). Although in the eastern region the sedimentary record is considered late Neogene, in some places Paleogene (?) was identified. This oldest record, represented by alluvial deposits, was preserved from complete erosion because of its position inside Bragança-Vilariça-Manteigas fault zone grabens. Later sedimentary episodes (upper Tortonian-Zanclean ?), represented by two allostratigraphical units, were interpreted as proximal fluvial braided systems of an endorheic hydrographic network, draining to the Spanish Duero Basin (eastwards); nowadays, they still remained in tectonic depressions and incised-valleys. Later on, eastern sedimentation becomes scarcer because Atlantic fluvial systems (e.g. the pre-Douro), successively, captured previous endorheic drainages. The proximal reaches of the allostratigraphic unit considered Placencian is recorded in Mirandela (western Trás-os-Montes) but the following fluvial episode (Gelasian-early Pleistocene ?) was already documented in east Trás-os-Montes, preserved in high platforms and in tectonic depressions. Placencian and Quaternary sedimentary records in the western coastal zone, mainly represented by terraces, are located in the Minho, Lima, Alverães, Cávado and Ave large fluvial valleys and in the Oporto littoral platform. In conclusion, northern Portugal Tertiary sedimentary episodes were mainly controlled by tectonics, but later on (Placencian-Quaternary) also by eustasy.

A sedimentação e a gliptogénese no registo cenozóico continental do Minho (NW Portugal)

This study identifies and describes the major Cenozoíc glyptogenesis and sedimentation episodes in the Minho region (NW Portugal). The fluvial processes of exorheic network were mainly the builders of Cenozoic landscape. This paper presents a chronological sequence of the major fluvial events based on geomorphology and sedimentary characteristics obtained in former studies and new ones. The oldest Cenozoic sedimentation (Placencian) remains on local depressions and was generated by fluvial and fluvio-lacustrine processes. Quaternary glyptogenesis begins probably with a major European cooling (Gunz?). So, the Placencian infilling was eroded and a new episode of sedimentation was accumulated in the same early paleovalley. There were three more cycles of quaternary glyptogenesis and sedimentation. The last glyptogenesis episode records the last glacial period. The post-glacial alluvion contains clasts of granites, schists, feldspats, and other alterable lithologies and minerals; on clay dimensions there are abundant illite and interstratified minerals. This composition differs from the older ones, more siliciclastic and kaolinitic. Other minor erosion episodes were identified, controlled manly by eustasy; evidences of tectonic movements were observed only in rio Minho valley.

Estratigrafia sismica do cenozóico na plataforma continental algarvia: interpretação do controle tectónico da sedimentação

The interpretation of 64 seismic reflection profiles in the Algarve continental platform (36º 20'-37º 00' paralels and 7º 20'-8º 40' meridians) calibrated with five petroleum exploration wells, with the identification of the geometric relations between six Cenozoic seismic units (B to G) and tectonic structures, allowed the construction of sucessive time-isopach maps (twt/s) and detailed interpretation of the geologic evolution. Two major tectonic structures were identified: a) the Portimão-Monchique fracture zone (striking N-S); b) an off-shore NW-SE fault zone, probably the S. Marcos-Quarteira fault. This accident separates two tectonic domains: the western domain (with N-S and E-W predominant structures and, secondarily, NW-SE and NE-SW) and the eastern domain (dominated by WSW-ENE, NW-SE, NE-SW, NNE-SSW and NNW-SSE structures). A persistent halokinetic activity had two major moments: a) sin-C unit; b) sin- and post-E unit. An increasing flexuration of the margin was identified, with spacial and temporal variation of the subsidence. The tectonic regime is considered as generally compressive, but the interpretation of the successíve stress-fields is rendered dificult by the existence of tectonic sub-domains and evaporitic structures.

Miocene marine-continental correlations in the Lisbon area and some discussion related to personnal experience

Sandpit exploitation near Lisbon allowed collecting of many Miocene, non marine fossils. These sands are part of the mostly marine Miocene series in the Lower Tagus basin. The particularly favourable situation led several researchers to deal with marine-continental correlations. Difficulties often concern methodologic aspects. Some poorly based interpretations exerced a lasting influence. A critical approach is presented. Analysis requires data. Methods based upon models often lead to the temptation of fitting data in order to confirm a priori conclusions, or of mixing up data as if of equal statistic value while they have not at all the same weight. Erroneous interpretations' uncritical repetition for many years "upgraded" them into absolute truth. Another point is endemism vs. europeism. Miocene mammals from Lisbon compared well with corresponding French, contemporaneous taxa, while this was apparently not true for Spanish ones. Too much accent had been put on the endemic character of Spanish, or even regional, mammalian faunas. Nationalist bias and sensationalism also weigh, albeit negatively. Meanwhile nearly all the more evident examples as the rhinoceros Hispanotherium are discredited as Iberian endemisms. Taxa may appear as endemic just because they have not yet been found elsewhere. At least for the medium to large-sized mammals, with their huge geographic distribution, faunal differences depend much more on ecology, climate and environmental conditions. Emphasis on differences may also result from researchers that are often in a precarious situation and need very much to achieve short-term, preferably sensational results. Overvalued differences may mask real similarities. Unethic and not scientific behaviour are further enhanced by "nomina nuda" tricks that may simply be a way to circunvent or cheat the Priority Rule. On the other hand, access to communication networks may present as sensational novelties items that are not new at all, misleading the audience. A new class of "science people" arose, created by the media and not by the value of their real achievements. Discussion is presented on sedimentation processes and discontinuities that are often regarded as absolute precision dating tools, as well as on some geochemical and paleomagnetic interpretations. A very good chronologie frame has been obtained for the basin under study on the basis of an impressive set of data, providing a rather detailed and accurate frame for Miocene marine-continental correlations.

Os taludes da margem sul do Tejo - evolução geomorfológica e mecanismos de rotura

Dissertação apresentada para obtenção do grau de Doutor em Geotecnia, especialidade de Geologia de Engenharia, pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa

A Leishmaniose visceral em Portugal Continental : 1999-2009

RESUMO - As alterações climáticas alteraram a incidência e distribuição mundial de zoonoses, ao modificarem o perfil epidemiológico dos seus vectores. A leishmaniose visceral é reemergente na bacia mediterrânica, sendo o seu impacto real subestimado. Em Portugal, é endémica em três regiões, de declaração obrigatória desde 1948 e o reservatório é o canídeo. O aumento da incidência da doença no cão e a escassez de informação epidemiológica tornou pertinente investigar a realidade nacional. A partir das bases de dados das notificações e dos grupos de diagnósticos homogéneos hospitalares, foram identificados todos os casos e, consultados todos os processos clínicos dos doentes com episódios de internamento nos hospitais do continente entre 1999-2009. Ocorreram 730 internamentos para 375 indivíduos na maioria: homens, eurocaucasianos, com em média, 27 anos e, residência em Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. A sintomatologia e comorbilidades dos doentes vão de encontro ao descrito internacionalmente. A doença foi subnotificada, com uma demora média de 19 dias. A letalidade foi de 5%. A taxa de incidência média do continente foi de 0,294/100000 habitantes, sem padrão de sazonalidade. O corredor endémico de Bortman construído apresentou picos com amplitudes de 2-3 anos. O mapeamento dos doentes evidenciou casos em regiões não endémicas acompanhando a distribuição da leishmaniose canina. Seria pertinente que futuras investigações construíssem uma modelação matemática que confirmasse a tendência do corredor endémico (pico em 2011?) para accionar um sistema de alerta nos Serviços de Saúde. Seria também útil a avaliação das condições geoclimáticas das localidades com casos para evidenciar possíveis similitudes no território. -------ABSTRACT - Climate changed the incidence and worldwide distribution of zoonosis while the epidemiological profile of their vectors was changing. Visceral leishmaniasis is reemerging in the Mediterranean basin and its real impact underestimated. In Portugal, it’s endemic in three regions; the notification occurs since 1948 and dog is the reservoir. The increased incidence of the canines’ disease and the scarcity of epidemiological information relevant investigate the national reality. From Notifications and Homogeneous’ Diagnostics Groups system databases, all cases were identified and also analyze all clinical processes of inpatients’ hospitals in 1999- 2009 in Portugal. 730 admissions occurred for 375 patients. In most they were men, Caucasians, with an average of 27 years and residency in Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. The symptoms and comorbilidades patient go against described internationally. The disease was under notified, with an average delay of 19 days. Lethality was 5%. The incidence rate was 0,294/100000 inhabitants, without seasonality. The endemic’s Bortman corridor presents peak amplitudes of 2-3 years. Mapping patient’s residency shows that cases’ distribution is similar to endemic canine leishmaniasis. It would be appropriate a research to build a mathematical modeling up to confirm the trend of corridor endemic (peak in 2011?), to trigger an alert system for health services. It would also be useful to evaluate the geo-climatics conditions of localities with cases to highlight possible similarities in the territory.

Projetos geotérmicos para usos diretos em Portugal Continental: tipologias e viabilidade económica

Os aproveitamentos geotérmicos têm vindo a aumentar significativamente em todo o mundo, sendo os Estados Unidos da América, o maior produtor desta energia proveniente do interior da Terra, com cerca de 3.187 MW de capacidade instalada. Portugal tem capacidade instalada total de 29 MW, no entanto no que se refere ao aproveitamento de “alta entalpia”, isto é, o aproveitamento geotérmico para produção elétrica, apenas se encontra no arquipélago dos Açores, na ilha de S. Miguel, onde estão instaladas e em funcionamento duas centrais geotérmicas com a potência total de 23 MW, com produção de energia de 185 GWh. Em Portugal Continental, não se consegue produzir energia elétrica devido às temperaturas existentes, restringindo esta utilização apenas ao aproveitamento de baixa entalpia (máximo de 76 ºC). Este aproveitamento normalmente é feito em cascata, segundo, predominando o aquecimento de águas sanitárias, climatização, e para termas, usando águas termominerais. Para a exploração deste recurso renovável, é necessário conhecer a hidrogeologia do país, e relacioná-la com a fracturação, e acidentes tectónicos. Portugal Continental, está divido em quatros partes distintas a nível hidrogeológico, o Maciço Antigo, a Orla Ocidental, a Bacia Tejo-Sado e a Orla Meridional. Qualquer aproveitamento geotérmico em Portugal terá de atender a estas características, potenciando também, novas explorações geotérmicas orientadas para as pessoas, respeitando os valores sociais, culturais e ambientais. Neste contexto, existem alguns complexos geotérmicos em funcionamento, outros abandonados, e muitos outros em estudo para uma breve aplicação. Um exemplo de sucesso no aproveitamento do calor geotérmico, é o complexo de Chaves, que foi evoluindo desde 1985, até aos dias de hoje, continuando em exploração e em expansão para um melhor servir da população local. A existência de dois furos, e brevemente dum terceiro, servem para o abastecimento duma piscina, dum hotel, das termas, e da balneoterapia. Devido à riqueza a nível das temperaturas, dos caudais, e ao nível das necessidades energéticas existentes, este complexo apresenta um tempo de retorno de investimento de cerca de 7 anos, o que é geralmente considerado para investimentos para fins públicos, como é o caso. No âmbito das investigações agora realizadas, foi constatado que estes projetos suportam a cobertura de alguma incerteza hidrogeológica, dada a importante procura existente.

ANIMALIA QVÆ LACTE ALVNTVR: Mamíferos nos mosaicos romanos da Península Ibérica

Tese de Doutoramento em História da Arte da Antiguidade

Análise de desempenho das entidades gestoras concessionárias dos serviços de águas em Portugal continental

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente, perfil de Engenharia Ecológica

Notas à margem da vida de S. Frutuoso

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